Eating For Health

Introduction:   In the nutrition class I teach, students were asked to respond to and prepare a convincing argument to counter the statement, Carbohydrates are bad for you .   One of those students, Olivia Lange, has been asked to be a guest author on this blog site.   Her paper on Good Carbs-Bad Carbs is below.   It’s a common misconception among the public that carbohydrates are bad for you, or will make you gain excess weight. According to WebMD.com, the enemy that many people are referring to are the refined and processed carbohydrates, which can also strip away fiber. Fiber is important to digestive health through feeding the bacteria in the gut, as well as helping one feel fuller by slowing down glucose digestion (Mayo Clinic Staff, 1). This is one element that is often paired with heart-healthy whole grains and other good-for-you carbohydrates. Further expanding on the “bad carbs”, one should avoid or cut back on refined foods like white bread or food...

Last week I wrote about how you can eat to fight off the afternoon doldrums.   But how can you start your day strong and full of energy?   What can you eat at breakfast that has “staying power” to get you through until lunch without hunger pains taking over at 10 AM?   Although the morning slump and being tired may have many reasons, one reason could be nutrition and what you are fueling yourself with at breakfast. Eat Breakfast – eat something .   Your body has been on “starvation” mode all night and now is running on empty.   You need to refuel to fill that empty tank.   Eating breakfast will help you be more alert, improve your concentration and even help you keep the pounds off as you won’t be heading for the snack machine at 10 AM.     Carbs – carbs provide the instant, short-term energy.   But not the “bad” carbs, the highly processed white flour and sugar carbs.   Eat the fruit for instant energy, the whole grains for a sl...

Guest Author:    W. Chandler  Some carbohydrates are bad for you. Simple carbohydrates such as sugar are bad for you.   White bread is bad in that most of the nutrients are removed in processing.   The carbohydrates that are high in fiber, found in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans are actually good for you. Since fiber slows the process of absorption these foods may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. It may also lower your chance for certain types of cancer. These carbohydrates may also help lower chances of high cholesterol. Carbohydrates high in fiber also help you feel full, so you are hungry less often.      Works Cited Ellis, D. R. (n.d.). Why Carbohydrates are Good For You! Retrieved March 31, 2013, from http://nutrition.mednet.ucla.edu/articles/Carbohydrates_are_Good_for_U.pdf Magee, E. M. (n.d.). Good Carbs, Bad Carbs: Why Carbohydrates Matter to You . Retrieved March 31, 2013, from WebMD: http://w...